The XL-Bully dog ban was enacted following several high-profile incidents, including fatalities, with restrictions on breeding and selling taking effect on December 31, 2023.

As of February 2024, ownership of XL-Bully dogs is prohibited unless they were registered prior to the ban.

Initially, the government estimated about 10,000 XL bully dogs in England and Wales, but over 57,000 have been registered with Defra since the ban was introduced.

From January to August 2024, police seized 1,991 suspected banned dogs, a significant increase from 283 in all of 2023, and destroyed 818 dogs, more than double last year's total.

During the same period, approximately 820 dogs were euthanized, averaging over 100 per month, which is more than double the number from the previous year.

Despite the crackdown on dangerous breeds, dog attacks are reportedly on the rise, with 22 out of 25 police departments indicating an increase in incidents.

A BBC report highlights that the number of euthanized dogs in England and Wales has significantly increased since the XL-Bully dog ban was implemented.

The National Police Chief Council (NPCC) has criticized the ban, citing increased financial and staffing burdens on police forces due to the rising costs of caring for confiscated dogs.

The cost of housing seized dogs has surged to £25 million annually, a sixfold increase, as many facilities are reaching capacity.

The NPCC is advocating for additional government funding to manage the costs associated with the enforcement of the XL bully ban.

Under the ban, dogs that were registered prior must be neutered, muzzled in public, and securely kept.

Police chiefs are requesting changes in the law to provide officers with alternative methods for handling individuals with dangerous dogs, as identification can be complex and costly.